Frankenstein star Shane Briant dies aged 74 after ‘long and terrible illness’

Tributes have come in for Shane Briant, best known for his role in Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell, after the actor died aged 74, according to reports.

Biographer for the actor Robert Kenchington announced the news on Facebook, saying Briant died after a ‘long and terrible illness’ on May 27.

Robert wrote on the Shane Briant Appreciation Society: ‘It is with a heavy heart that I report the news that Shane Briant has died after a long and terrible illness.

‘On behalf of everyone in the group, may I extend my condolences to his family and appreciation of this great and uniquely talented man. The world of the arts has lost a magnificent actor. I, for one, have lost a very dear friend.’

A post from the Peter Cushing Appreciation Society on Facebook also posted Briant’s death, sharing condolences with his wife Wendy.

A post read: ‘I am extremely sad to share with you all, the terrible news that our good friend, Shane has passed away. To his wife Wendy, his family and friends, may we all extend our condolences.’

Following the news, fans paid tribute to the actor with posts on his personal Facebook page.

Jonathan Sothcott wrote: ‘Sorry to report the death of actor Shane Briant, the last of the @hammerfilmsleading men. A delicate, nuanced actor the studio saw as a successor to Cushing. Particularly good in Frankenstein & The Monster From Hell & the underrated Straight On Till Morning. RIP #ShaneBriant.’

Briant became a professional actor playing the lead in Hamlet at the Eblana Theatre, Dublin, before finding fame in Hammer Films productions Demons of the Mind, Straight on Till Morning, Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter, and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell, in which he starred as Simon, along side Peter Cushing’s Baron Frankenstein.

His other film credits include The Picture of Dorian Gray (1973) and Cassandra (1987).

An icon of Hammer horrors, Briant told of his honour at being part of the legendary film family.

In an interview with the Horror Channel in 2014 he said: ‘It’s an honour to be considered amongst a family that includes, amongst many other names, Fisher, Lee, Cushing, Pitt, Bates, Smith. Hammer Films are cinema history, so, in a way, I shall live on too.’

Since the early 1980’s the actor has been based in Sydney, Australia, with his wife Wendy, and has worked on several local productions including Simon Wincer’s The Lighthorsemen, Shaker Run, Chamelian 3, Grievous Bodily Harm, Run Chrissie Run! and Cassandra.